The impact of a school food aid program on household food insecurity.
Eur J Public Health
; 26(2): 290-6, 2016 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26873860
BACKGROUND: We had a unique opportunity to establish the extent of food insecurity and the potential impact of a large-scale school-based nutritional program, in low-socioeconomic status districts of Greece, during the current economic crisis. METHODS: Around 162 schools with 25 349 students participated during the 2012-2013 school year. Each student received a daily healthy meal designed by nutrition specialists. Food insecurity levels, measured using the Food Security Survey Module were assessed at baseline and after a 1-8-month intervention period. Pre-post intervention responses were matched at an individual level. RESULTS: Around 64.2% of children's households experienced food insecurity at baseline. This percentage decreased to 59.1% post-intervention,P< 0.001. On an individual level, food insecurity score diminished by 6.5%,P< 0.001. After adjustment for various socioeconomic factors, for each additional month of participation, the odds of reducing the food insecurity score increased by 6.3% (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11). Those experiencing food insecurity with hunger at baseline were more likely to improve food insecurity score than those who did not (OR = 3.51, 95%CI: 2.92-4.21). CONCLUSION: Children and families residing in low socioeconomic areas of Greece, experience high levels of food insecurity. Our findings suggest that participation in a school-based food aid program may reduce food insecurity for children and their families in a developed country in times of economic hardship.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Assistência Alimentar
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Abastecimento de Alimentos
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article